More MLive food coverage

Look for more about Kalamazoo's Ribfest, including interviews with headliners Skid Row and Parmalee. Plus, check out what one vendor says makes good barbecue

KALAMAZOO, MI -- August is setting up to be a tasty month for Jay Haynes.

Haynes, who owns the popular Kalamazoo barbecue restaurant FooJay, one of the finalist in MLive.com's Michigan's Best BBQ contest in June, will be one of the vendors at the popular Community Advocates Ribfest in downtown Kalamazoo starting Thursday. He's also in the process of opening up a second location in Kalamazoo.

Haynes said today he plans to move into the 600-square-foot space, formerly occupied by longtime Kalamazoo barbecue restaurant The Bird Cage, at 2702 E. Main St. He expects to open in August.

Haynes said The Birdcage left the space about a month ago.

Haynes will still focus barbecue chicken, ribs, pulled pork and brisket, along with their array of sides and desserts.

Haynes said business rose sharply after the exposure from the Best BBQ contest. He said in addition to opening the second location, he'd like to add a drive-through window at the 1200 W. Paterson St. location. He's also considering getting into catering.

"I can see, in years to come, the business taking a
bigger leap," Haynes said.

You can check out the FooJay booth at Ribest, which will run Thursday through Saturday at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place.

FooJay is open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. You can contact the restaurant by calling 269-303-3930. The same number will be used for the new location, Haynes said.